7 Free Food Deals and Savings Programs in the US

Beyond the McDonald’s gift card draws, there are several other ways to save on dining out and everyday food expenses in the United States. From free giveaway apps to restaurant loyalty programs and coupon platforms, these resources can help reduce what you spend each month without giving up the meals you enjoy.

Weekly Gift Card Draws (BestDeals)

BestDeals is a free app that runs weekly gift card giveaways from popular retailers and restaurant chains. Users enter the draw each week at no cost — no purchase required, no subscription fee, and no credit card needed to participate.

The app also features a curated deals section highlighting current discounts, limited-time offers, and seasonal promotions from well-known brands. For users already looking to save money on food and shopping, it consolidates several useful features in one place.

Free Food Deals and Savings Programs

1. McDonald’s App Rewards (MyMcDonald’s Rewards)

The official McDonald’s app runs a loyalty program where every dollar spent earns points redeemable for free menu items — from a McChicken or cheeseburger at 1,500 points to a Big Mac or Happy Meal at 6,000 points. The app also features daily deals, exclusive bundles, and limited-time offers that are not available in-store or on the website.

Recent promotions have included free medium fries with any $1+ purchase, buy-one-get-one-free on select sandwiches, and $1 large drinks through the app. The program is free to join and requires no minimum spend to start earning points.

2. Ibotta — Cash Back on Groceries and Dining

Ibotta is a cash-back app that reimburses a portion of your purchases at grocery stores, restaurants, and online retailers. Users scan receipts or link loyalty cards to automatically earn cash back on qualifying items. Popular offers include $0.50–$2.00 back on specific food items, plus bonus rewards for completing offers from multiple brands in a single trip.

The app is free to download, payouts start at $20 via PayPal or Venmo, and users report earning $20–$50 per month on regular grocery shopping. Ibotta also partners directly with some fast food chains for app-exclusive offers.

3. Fetch Rewards — Points from Every Receipt

Fetch is a receipt-scanning app that awards points for every purchase — groceries, restaurants, gas stations, and online orders. Unlike traditional cash-back apps, Fetch gives you points regardless of what you buy, with bonus points for purchasing from partner brands. Points can be redeemed for gift cards to Amazon, Target, Starbucks, and dozens of other retailers.

4. Too Good To Go — Surprise Bags

Too Good To Go is a food waste reduction app that lets you purchase “surprise bags” of unsold food from restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and grocery stores at a fraction of the original price — typically 60–70% off. In the US, participating locations include Panera Bread, Whole Foods Market, local bakeries, and independent restaurants.

Bags typically cost between $3 and $6 and contain food worth $12 to $20 at retail prices. The app is free to download, and new bags are posted daily. For budget-conscious diners, this is one of the most reliable ways to eat well for less.

5. Fast Food Loyalty Programs Worth Joining

Several major fast food chains in the US offer free loyalty programs similar to McDonald’s Rewards:

• Burger King Royal Perks: earn 10 crowns per $1 spent. Redeem for free menu items starting at 150 crowns. The app frequently offers flame-grilled deals and BOGO promotions.
• Wendy’s Rewards: earn 10 points per $1 spent. Free items start at 150 points (Jr. Frosty). The app is known for aggressive daily deal rotations and surprise offers.
• Chick-fil-A One: earn points per dollar that unlock free items as you move through membership tiers. Higher tiers offer surprise rewards and early access to new menu items.

6. Grocery Store Loyalty Programs

For everyday food savings, US grocery store loyalty programs remain among the most valuable free tools available:

• Kroger Plus Card: digital coupons loaded to your card, personalized deals based on purchase history, and fuel points that save up to $1.00/gallon at Kroger fuel stations.
• Walmart+: membership program ($12.95/month) with free delivery, fuel discounts at Sam’s Club and partner stations, and Paramount+ streaming included.
• Target Circle: free program that offers 1% back on purchases, personalized deals, and a birthday reward. Stacks with RedCard discounts for additional savings.

Coupon and Discount Tools

Several free platforms aggregate current deals, voucher codes, and cashback offers for the US market:

• RetailMeNot — aggregates promotional codes and cashback offers from thousands of retailers. Frequently features BOGO deals and discounted meal bundles from restaurant chains including McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Taco Bell.
• Coupons.com — one of the largest US coupon platforms, with printable coupons and digital deals for groceries, restaurants, and household items. The app integrates directly with many store loyalty programs.
• Honey (PayPal) — a browser extension that automatically finds and applies coupon codes at checkout on thousands of online stores. Also features a price-tracking tool that alerts you when items drop in price.
• Rakuten — a cashback platform offering 1–10% back on purchases at over 3,500 stores. Payouts are quarterly via check or PayPal. Popular categories include food delivery, grocery delivery, and restaurant gift cards.

Tip: stacking loyalty program points with coupon codes and cash-back apps can reduce your food spending by 20–30% per month. For example, ordering McDonald’s through the app during a promotional period, paying with a cash-back-linked card, and applying a valid coupon code yields savings from three separate sources on a single transaction.

Start Saving Today

Every app and program listed on this page is free to use. Download BestDeals to enter the weekly gift card draws, and combine it with your favorite loyalty programs and cash-back apps to save 20–30% on your monthly food spending.

This page is for informational purposes only. Program details, eligibility requirements, and availability are subject to change. Verify current terms directly with each provider. This page contains links to partner sites.